Dater's conversations with coaches, general managers and veterans reached the same conclusion: modern technology is negatively affecting team chemistry.

We've all seen it: athletes stepping off the bus wearing Beats by Dre headphones. Players engrossed in their iPhones and iPads in the locker room.

"When you get on the bus now to go to a game, everybody's got their headphones on, or staring at their phones instead of sitting there talking," former NHL defenseman Rob Blake told Dater. "But now where I've seen [a difference] most is in the dressing rooms. You always had a team stereo, and you always had one guy put the music on and you always had a team song. Now, guys have their own headphones. You don't even really need a team stereo anymore, because they're all listening to their own music."

According to Colorado Rockies manager Jim Tracy: "It's very, very difficult to keep secrets in this game now. Believe me when I tell you."